A golden opportunity Invest in Portugal and gain a Resident Permit providing access to the 26 European (Schengen) countries Discover the Algarve, Europe s premier golf and leisure destination with its excellent year round climate
EUROPE S FINEST SECRET Blessed with more annual sunshine than anywhere else in Europe and with 150km of stunning coastline, the Algarve offers a highly attractive environment for property investors. Portugal may be suffering from the European economic downturn, but its southern coastline known as The Algarve continues to be a highly desirable destination both for holidaymakers and property investors. In effect, the region is a micro-economy that depends primarily on international tourism for its revenue and in spite of the poor shape of many European economies, its tourist arrivals and hotel occupancy have been remarkably resilient over recent years. By investing at least 500,000 euros in a property in the region, non-european nationals can automatically obtain Portuguese residential permits enabling free circulation around the 26 Schengen countries with the possibility of obtaining Portuguese nationality after 6 years (see box on the Golden Visa ). For many years the Algarve has been a preferred destination for wealthy northern Europeans looking for a home in the sun either as a permanent residence or a holiday home. Many buyers opt for full service resorts and condominiums where they can use the accommodation for their own vacations and rent the property out through the management company for the rest of the year securing an excellent return on their investment. Those who choose to settle here enjoy one of the most enviable lifestyles to be found anywhere in Europe. Portugal is one of the safest and most liberal countries in the world and the mild climate of the Algarve, with long warm summers and mild winters, means that families can enjoy the great outdoors and the natural environment all year around. There are excellent international schools providing the background education for entrance into leading European universities. Many people with business interests elsewhere in the world choose to base themselves and their families in this privileged location taking advantage of the excellent communication infrastructure and the proximity of Europe s major capital cities. In fact, Portugal has a long history of welcoming foreign investors and residents and in the Algarve there is a growing international community sharing this beautiful region with the local population.
Essential<none> THE REGION The south coast has a varied geography with long beaches backed by sand dunes and natural lagoons in the east and picturesque rocky coves with protected beaches in the west. There is a rich history dating back to pre Roman times with ancient ruins to be visited and historic towns and cities such as Silves with its Moorish castle, once the capital city of the region when much of the Iberian peninsular was under Moorish occupation between the 6th and the 13th centuries. The west coast is characterized by wild and magnificent beaches but here the open Atlantic ocean creates a backdrop of rolling waves that make the area into one of Europe s top surf destinations. From east to west there are over 30 championship golf courses, an important aspect of the region s economy, creating a golf tourism market that combats the seasonality of beach and sun tourism during the summer. The Algarve is also a paradise for gourmets with excellent local produce such as fresh PHOTO: PAUL BERNHARDT fish and seafood from the Atlantic and although little is known internationally about the region s wine, this is changing fast. Small wine pro - ducers have made considerable investments over recent years and the Algarve is fast gaining recognition for quality as opposed to quantity, some are now calling it the new California of Europe. The Algarve is easily accessible from London and most major European cities via Faro International airport which is just a half hour flight or 2 hour drive from Lisbon offering flights to other worldwide destinations. Summing up the attractions of this stunning stretch of coastline, its easy to see how it remains the destination of choice for many discerning Northern Europeans. And now, with the new Golden Visa, international buyers from around the world have the opportunity to combine an excellent investment with a residential permit enabling unlimited travel around the EEC countries of the continent and considerable tax benefits. THE GOLDEN VISA HOW IT WORKS One of the measures introduced by the Portuguese Government to attract international investment was the creation of this new programme of Residence Permits for foreigners the so-called Golden Visa which came into force in October 2012 and created a powerful incentive for those who want the benefit of residency in one of Europe s most socially stable and safest countries. To qualify for the permit through real estate investment the candidate much purchase a property (or, as explained by Pedro Sáragga Leal from PLMJ law firm, purchase of several properties) valued at 500,000 or more, alternative means of securing the residential permit are to make a capital investment of at least 1 million or to form a business venture in Portugal that creates a minimum 10 jobs. These investments should be maintained for a minimum period of five years. According to the most recent changes introduced by the Government, investors must demonstrate that they have stayed in Portugal for at least (i) 7 days in the first year and (ii) 14 days in each subsequent period of two years, Rita Alarcão Júdice from PLMJ law firm says. The incentive is also extendible to the candidate s immediate family members. PLMJ clarifies that in order to prove compliance with the minimum requirements associated with the investment in real estate, the investor must, upon making the application, present the document that proves the purchase or promise to purchase the real estate. This document must also include a declaration from a financial institution operating in Portugal confirming the actual transfer of the capital for this purpose (definitive purchase or payment of deposit). The applicant must also present an up to date land registry certificate including registration of the purchase and, if possible, of the promissory sale and purchase contract in favour of the applicant. In cases in which a promissory sale and purchase serves as the basis for the granting of the permit, the respective definitive contract must be presented prior to the application for renewal. It should be noted that properties acquired for the purposes of obtaining an permit may be mortgaged or charged on any part of their value over and above the required minimum of EUR 500 000, and may also be leased or assigned for commercial, agricultural or tourism purposes. Simultaneously and under certain circumstances, taking up tax domicile allows for zero tax on foreign passive income and pensions for a period of 10 years. Another fiscal benefit is that there is no inheritance tax in Portugal. The residence permit is valid for a period of one year and can be subsequently renewed every two years, as long as the necessary requirements for the concession are still maintained. After 5 years permanent residency status may be granted and after 6 years of residency it is possible to apply for Portuguese nationality provided that all the conditions for that purpose are met. Once a Portuguese national and thereby a fully-fledged European citizen, it is possible to live and work freely anywhere in Europe.
Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel Sagres Martinhal Beach Resort & Hotel has an unparalleled location on a white sandy beach on the Algarve, the Portuguese Riviera, and has been awarded a World Travel Award in 2012 for Europe s Leading Villa Resort. It has been open since 2010 and has had a huge success in the European market for its unique offering at the luxury and design end of the market. It features an exclusive 5-star hotel and resort with a collection of luxurious spacious family homes and hotel rooms. The facilities at Martinhal include a choice of heated indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a gym, the Finisterra Spa, tennis and paddle tennis courts, restaurants, bars, and a number of kids clubs and stores carrying top brands. A property investment at Martinhal would not just give the owner a property that enables them to obtain the residence permit with all its benefits, but also gives the investor a monthly net cash return on his investment AND a stylish and desirable 5-star luxury hotel to stay in. Key terms of the Martinhal Golden Visa Investment Opportunity include: 1) Net Rental Income of 4% of the Property Purchase Price for the first 8 years; 2) All property running and holding charges waived or paid for during the term of the lease (including costs relating to 1st Residence Permit); 3) Up to 14 days of free owner usage in own property or at Hotel Martinhal in each year when taken in November to March; 4) Freehold ownership of a 2-bedroom Martinhal Village Houses with private gardens and roof terrace at 565 000.
SAGRES - ALGARVE - PORTUGAL